A major diplomatic and administrative row has erupted between the Center and the West Bengal government over the stalling of crucial railway infrastructure. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reiterated his concerns, alleging that despite the central government allocating substantial funds, several railway flyover projects in West Bengal remain paralyzed due to the state’s “non-cooperation.”

The primary bone of contention remains land acquisition. According to the Railway Ministry, while the budget for numerous Over-Bridges (ROBs) and flyovers has been sanctioned, the projects cannot proceed without the state government facilitating land handovers and necessary clearances. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that the development of railways is a collective responsibility, and the lack of proactive support from the state administration is causing these projects to miss critical deadlines.

The standoff has left thousands of daily commuters in the lurch, as pending flyovers contribute to massive traffic congestion at railway crossings across the state. While the state government often counters these claims by citing procedural complexities, the Center maintains that the ball is in the state’s court. As the blame game intensifies, the fate of Bengal’s multi-crore railway modernization remains uncertain, leaving citizens wondering when the promised infrastructure will finally see the light of day.